By Olivia Miwil
TUARAN: Kaamatan, or the harvest festival, could serve as a platform to scout talents in arm wrestling, said British-born Sabahan Michael Ford.
The champion of the Arnold Sports Festival's 2025 Arm Wrestling Super Heavyweight category said May is usually the busiest period for arm wrestlers in Sabah.
Arm wrestling is known as 'Mimpolos' in the Kadazan-Dusun language.
"The boys are actively taking part in different competitions, so it is good to see how they recover in between and whether they can consistently perform well.
"I could see that contestants are training hard now and doing well. I did not even expect some of them could beat people whom I thought would win.
"If they consistently perform well, I would like to see them and maybe choose them for the state team," he said after witnessing the competition at a resort here yesterday, held in conjunction with the Kaamatan celebration.
Ford, 37, said 'Mimpolos' provides an important opportunity to showcase local talent and encourage younger athletes to pursue the sport seriously.
With 16 years of experience in arm wrestling, Ford said Sabah is now widely recognised on the international stage.
"I think seven out of 10 Malaysian arm wrestlers are from Sabah," he said.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Fredinand Aaden Freddy from Kampung Tagas near here signed up for the competition after learning that Ford would be attending.
Fredinand, the youngest participant, defeated several older and former arm wrestling champions during the competition and said Ford has inspired him in the sport.
The teenager has represented his school and recently participated in Mimpolos competitions.
Meanwhile, Javander Lonni, 29, a former national arm wrestling athlete, had the chance to challenge Ford after emerging as champion in the resort's heavyweight
(75kg and above) Mimpolos competition.
"I was once in the same team as Michael, but now he is so strong and an idol to everyone," Javander said.
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